Spring-biased frame

ABSTRACT

A frame adapted and configured to receive and contain multiple planar or substantially planar objects in a housing with a frame including a set of spring biased panels. Objects can be inserted into the housing via a slit in the frame or a removable section of the frame. In some embodiments, one more components of the housing can be selectively removed to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of one or more of the planar or substantially planar objects.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/022,366 filed May 8, 2020, by Erik Goodmanson, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present device relates to the field of frames and more particularly to the field of frames configured to hold multiple items.

Background

Traditional frames and shadowboxes are designed for permanent or semi-permanent presentation of one piece of art or one set of art. Such frames and shadowboxes do not permit a user to easily modify or change the presented art as they require extensive or intricate steps to be performed by a user in order to make a change. Moreover, when a user does change the art in a traditional frame, the user is left with a decision as to where to store the art that was previously presented prior to the new art presentation. What is needed is a frame that permits a user to easily change the presented art and that is adapted and configured to store previous art presentations within the frame.

SUMMARY

The present device is a picture frame that uses biasing elements positioned between a pair of panels within a housing to store and display multiple substantially planar objects. An opening in the frame, created by either a slit or a removable frame component, allows for easy insertion of such objects. The biasing elements can be compressed to facilitate inserting the object and then released to hold it against the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details of the present device are explained with the help of the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1a depicts an isometric view of the spring-biased frame.

FIG. 1b depicts an isometric view of the spring-biased frame of FIG. 1a with a side component removed.

FIG. 1c depicts a bottom isometric view of the spring-biased frame of FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

FIG. 1d depicts a bottom exploded view of the spring-biased frame of FIGS. 1a -1 c.

FIG. 2a depicts an isometric view of another embodiment of a spring-biased frame

FIG. 2b depicts an isometric internal view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2c depicts an isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b with a frame section removed.

FIG. 2d depicts a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a -c

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1a depicts an isometric view of a spring-biased frame 100. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1a , a frame can comprise a housing 102 having a perimeter frame, a substantially central aperture 104 and a forward support panel 106 contained within a housing 102. In some embodiments, a housing 102 can have a prescribed depth corresponding to a desired number of substantially planar objects to be inserted into a housing. In such embodiments, s forward support panel 106 can transition within said housing across said prescribed depth. In some embodiments, a frame 100 can be comprised of a polymer, but in other embodiments can be comprised of metal, wood, or any other known and/or convenient material.

As depicted in FIG. 1a , a forward support panel 106 can be adapted and configured to have dimensions such that a forward support panel 106 can be larger than a central aperture 104, in at least one direction but sized such that it can fit within a housing 102. That is, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1a , a forward support panel 106 can be adapted and configured such that at least a portion of a perimeter edge of a forward support panel 106 can have slightly larger dimensions than the interior perimeter edge of an aperture 104 of a housing 102 and can be placed in contact with the interior perimeter edge of a central aperture 104 of a housing 102 in at least one configuration.

FIG. 1b depicts an isometric view of a spring-biased frame of FIG. 1 with a side component removed. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1b , a rear support panel 108 can be selectively coupled with a rear portion of a housing 102 via a plurality of connectors 116 (shown in FIG. 1d ). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1b , a rear support panel 108 can be selectively coupled with a plurality of biasing elements 110 coupled with a rear support panel 108 and engaging the rear side of a forward support panel 106, thus biasing a forward support panel 106 away from a rear support panel 108 and toward the front of a housing 102 or central aperture 104, across the depth 112 of a housing 102. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1b , the plurality of biasing elements 110 are depicted as four substantially conical springs. However, in alternate embodiments any known, convenient and/or desired number of biasing elements 110 can be used and a biasing element 110 can be any known, convenient and/or desired mechanism adapted and/or configured in any known, convenient and/or desired manner to elastically deform and bias a forward support panel 106 toward a central aperture 104 of a housing 102. In some embodiments at least one biasing element can be adapted and configured to bias a forward support panel 106 to a first position relative to a housing 102.

FIGS. 1c and 1d depict a bottom isometric and bottom isometric exploded view of the spring-biased frame shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b . In some embodiments as depicted in FIGS. 1c and 1d , a rear support panel 108 can have a plurality of tabs 114 adapted to selectively engage with complimentary connectors 116 via which a rear support panel 108 can be selectively coupled with a housing 102. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1d , the connectors 116 can be pins and the pins can be integral or selectively couplable with the housing 102. However, in alternate embodiments, the connectors 116 can be any known convenient and/or desired mechanism adapted and configured such that the rear support panel 108 can be selectively coupled with the housing 102.

As depicted in FIGS. 1c and 1 cd, a housing 102 can have a slit 118 in at least one edge. In operation, a user can depress a forward support panel 106 into a second position and slide a new piece of art, document, or any other known and/or convenient substantially planar object into a housing 102 above a forward support panel 106. When a forward support panel 106 is released to a first position, a forward support panel 106 and the object inserted through a slit 118 can be retained within a housing 102. When a user desires to insert a subsequent object into the housing 102, a user can again depress a forward support panel 106 (with the current object) and insert a new object in front of the current object. The new object will then be visible through an aperture 104 and the prior object will be retained behind the current object being displayed. This addition of new objects can continue until the thickness of the collective objects reaches the limit of the thickness 112 of a housing 102, at which point (or at any desired time), a rear support panel 108 can be removed and the objects can be removed from a housing 102 to permit room for the introduction of new objects into a housing 102.

As depicted in FIGS. 1c and 1 cd, a housing 102 can have a slit 118 in at least one edge. In operation, a user can depress a forward support panel 106 and slide a new piece of art, document, or any other known and/or convenient substantially planar object into a housing 102 above a forward support panel 106. When a forward support panel 106 is released, a forward support panel 106 and the object inserted through a slit 118 can be retained within a housing 102. When a user desires to insert a subsequent object into the housing 102, a user can again depress a forward support panel (with the current object) and insert a new object in front of the current object. The new object will then be visible through an aperture 104 and the prior object will be retained behind the current object being displayed. This addition of new objects can continue until the thickness of the collective objects reaches the limit of the thickness 112 of a housing 102, at which point (or at any desired time), a rear support panel 108 can be removed and the objects can be removed from a housing 102 to permit room for the introduction of new objects into a housing 102.

FIG. 2a depicts an isometric view of another embodiment of a spring-biased frame. In some embodiments, a housing 102 can comprise a removable frame component 202. As shown in FIG. 2a , a removable frame component 202 can substantially align with the rest of a housing 102 to resemble a continuous frame. In some embodiments, a removable frame component 202 can comprise one section of a housing 102, but in other embodiments can comprise multiple sections of a housing 102.

FIG. 2b depicts an isometric internal view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a . As shown in FIG. 2a , with a forward support panel 106 removed, a rear support panel 108 can be removably connected to a forward support panel 106 via at least one biasing element 110.

FIG. 2c depicts an isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b with a removable frame section 202 separated from a housing 102. In some embodiments a removable frame section 202 can be removably connected to the rest of a housing 102 via magnetic connectors or any other known and/or convenient device. As shown in FIG. 2c , a removable frame section 202 can be separated from the rest of a housing 102 substantially at the corners of a housing 102. In embodiments in which a housing 102 has a rounded geometry, a removable frame section 202 can be separated from the rest of a housing 102 at any known and/or convenient location.

FIG. 2d depicts a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a -c. As shown in FIG. 2d , when a removable frame section 202 is in place and connected to the rest of a housing 102, a forward support plate 106 can be held in place by the compression of biasing elements 110.

In operation, a user can separate a removable frame section 202 to create an opening in which to insert a substantially planar object into a housing 102. A user can depress a forward support panel 106 and slide a substantially planar object through this opening in a housing 102 above a forward support panel 106. When a forward support panel 106 is released, a forward support panel 106 and the object inserted through an opening of a housing 102 of a can be retained within a housing 102. When a user desires to insert a subsequent object into the housing 102, a user can again depress a forward support panel 106 (with the current object) and insert a new object in front of the current object. The new object will then be visible through an aperture 104 and the prior object will be retained behind the current object being displayed. This addition of new objects can continue until the thickness of the collective objects reaches the limit of the thickness 112 of a housing 102, at which point (or at any desired time), a rear support panel 108 can be removed and the objects can be removed from a housing 102 to permit room for the introduction of new objects into a housing 102.

While depicted as rectangular in the embodiments shown, it should be understood that the system presented herein is not restricted in geometry and that the same function and operation can be accomplished using alternate geometries, such as round, elliptical, oval, star shaped, and/or any other know convenient and/or desired geometry and such geometries are expressly intended to be encompassed by this disclosure and would be evident, mutatis mutandis, to others of ordinary skill in the art.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail and in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts above, it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many additional modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Accordingly, these and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A frame comprising: a housing having a perimeter frame and a central aperture; said housing have a prescribed depth; a forward support panel adapted and configured to selectively engage said housing and transition within said housing across said prescribed depth; a rear support panel that is selectively coupled with a rear portion of a housing; and at least one biasing element positioned between and selectively coupled with said rear support panel and said forward support panel; wherein said at least one biasing element is adapted and configured to bias said forward support panel to a first position relative to said housing; a slit through a portion of said perimeter frame.
 2. The frame of claim 1, wherein said housing is substantially rectangular.
 3. The frame of claim 1, wherein said biasing element is a substantially conical spring.
 4. The frame of claim 1, wherein a plurality of tabs selectively engage with complimentary connectors by which a rear support panel 108 is selectively coupled with a housing.
 5. The frame of claim 1, comprised of a polymer.
 6. The frame of claim 1, comprised of metal.
 7. A frame comprising: a housing having a perimeter frame and a central aperture; said housing have a prescribed depth; a forward support panel adapted and configured to selectively engage said housing and transition within said housing across said prescribed depth; a rear support panel that is selectively coupled with a rear portion of a housing; and at least one biasing element positioned between and selectively coupled with said rear support panel and said forward support panel; wherein said at least one biasing element is adapted and configured to bias said forward support panel to a first position relative to said housing; a removable frame component.
 8. The frame of claim 7, wherein said housing is substantially rectangular.
 9. The frame of claim 8 wherein said removable frame component is separated from the rest of said housing at adjacent corners.
 10. The frame of claim 8, further comprising magnetic connectors between said removable frame component and the rest of said housing.
 11. The frame of claim 7, wherein said biasing element is a substantially conical spring.
 12. The frame of claim 7, wherein a plurality of tabs selectively engage with complimentary connectors by which a rear support panel 108 is selectively coupled with a housing.
 13. The frame of claim 7, comprised of a polymer.
 14. The frame of claim 7, comprised of metal. 